BULAWAYO- American cruise line Princess Cruises has suspended shore leave for all Zimbabwean crew members in Canadian ports following a string of desertion incidents during the Alaska cruise season.
In an internal memo, the cruise line’s vice president for Maritime HR Strategy & Operations, Elio Autiero, said the decision was made after “several desertion incidents in Canadian ports by seafarers from Zimbabwe.”
The restriction takes effect immediately and affects all Zimbabwean nationals working aboard Princess vessels operating in Canadian waters.
“Desertion poses serious risks to our business and the safety of our teammates,” Autiero wrote in a message addressed to ship captains, hotel general managers, and human resources officers. “We made the difficult decision to suspend shore leave for all Zimbabwean teammates in Canadian ports. We request your support in implementing this directive with immediate effect.”
While the company acknowledged the impact the decision would have on affected crew members, Autiero said the move was necessary to “stay in regulatory compliance and reduce risks when we become aware of them.”
Princess Cruises has ruled out transferring Zimbabwean staff to other regions but said it would begin scheduling their disembarkation at non-Canadian ports once their contracts end. The company also said it is working with its crew planners and concession partners to reassign future Zimbabwean joiners to ships outside of Canada.
The memo comes amid heightened scrutiny in Canada over undocumented migration and growing concerns about desertions from international vessels. While the company did not disclose the number of crew members involved, sources familiar with the operations described the desertions as “unprecedented” and disruptive.
Princess Cruises is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and one of the largest cruise operators in North America.
